European Portuguese for Kids: Introduction to Vowels by Native Speaker

* Please note that no prior knowledge of Portuguese is needed to take this class.

** You are very welcome to contact me to inquire about alternative times if the ones displayed do not work for you. I will do my best to accommodate and create a new section.

This multi-day course is an introduction to vowel names and recognition in Portuguese. Vowels are essential to words, therefore, becoming familiar with vowels is an important initial step into language learning.

In this course, students will focus on one vowel per lesson, starting with the letter A. Each letter will be introduced by its Portuguese name and we will use a specific song and storytelling to become acquainted with the vowel of the day. While the song and its fun story will be our anchor in the classroom over the duration of the course, students will contextually touch upon colors and numbers. I will be using visuals for each vowel to later engage in a letter recognition exercise. Students will also be introduced to childrens’ first words, commonly taught in the classroom in Portugal, through listening and repetition, while naturally practising the vowel sounds within each one of these words in a fun and relaxed environment. 
Additionally, students will learn how to say their hellos and goodbyes at the beginning and end of the lesson.

Lesson 1: The vowel of the day is A/ keyword - SAPATO
Lesson 2:  The vowel of the day is E/ keyword - MENINA 
Lesson 3:  The vowel of the day is I/ keyword - MENINO
Lesson 4: The vowel of the day is O/ keyword - BOTA 
Lesson 5: The vowel of the day is U/ keyword - UVA 
Lesson 6:  We will review the 5 vowels learned interactively while including them all in our song and its story.

Students will work through each lesson, as detailed below, with focus on the vowel of the day:

- Greetings: we will learn how to say our hellos and goodbyes in Portuguese through song at the beginning and the end of class.
- Starting on Lesson 2, Students will begin by recalling the name of the vowel of the previous lesson.
- We will introduce the vowel of the day by its name and practice and learn it through song and storytelling (the song and storyline stay the same throughout the course, with change occurring with the introduction of a new vowel)    
- Students will play vowel recognition games, which will also introduce students to colors and numbers
- Students will practice the vowel sounds, naturally, within a new word each lesson, being introduced to the first 5 of 28 keywords commonly used in the classroom in Portugal for early literacy.

I will be supplementing the lesson with plenty of TPR, engaging materials and techniques to promote independent output!

**Some important notes regarding my class:

- I encourage students to be unmuted and on-screen during the lesson. I may, however, mute a student, whenever needed, to minimize background noise. Please ensure that your learner is able to mute and unmute independently or please sit with your learner to help them unmute themselves and participate when it’s their turn.
- During class, I will be sure that all learners have the opportunity to be heard and participate and ask that they also listen respectfully to others.
- To participate or share a thought and ask a question, I also encourage that students raise their hand (or index finger as done in the classroom in Portugal! :).